Rising New York City songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling is releasing his long-awaited debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn on February 21st. He recently gave away the first single from the album, “Mourning Train To Memphis,” as a free download via his bandcamp page, and now he’s sharing a beautiful black & white video he recorded for “Solar Flares,” the second single off the album. Stelling is also announcing a spring tour, which sees him traversing the East Coast on his way down to SXSW in March. He’ll also be throwing a very special record release show in New York City on February 18th, the eve of Stelling’s 30th birthday, at Rockwood Music Hall’s beautiful Stage Two from 8-10pm. CPS has also set up a pre-order for the album via his bandcamp page- fans who pre-order the CD or vinyl version of the record will get an immediate digital download of the album. Songs of Praise & Scorn was recorded, mostly live, this past summer above a working funeral home in Louisville, KY. The album features backing vocals from Julia Christgau and violin accompaniment by Louisville’s own Cheyenne Marie Mize. Christopher’s burgeoning notoriety around the Northeast was born from his countless live performances over the last three years. His shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of sound through his expertly finger-picked guitar melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps set against his signature storytelling, which conjures up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic imagery.Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut of venues, both small and large, on the reputation of his live performance alone, this record is sure to confirm his place among today’s most vital and relevant songwriters.Watch CPS Perform “Solar Flares” Live At The Indaba Loft HERE--Upcoming CPS Tour Dates1/19 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (w/ Jonathan Wilson)2/18 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 (Record Release Show)2/20 – Richmond, VA – The Camel2/21 - Charlottesville, VA - The Garage2/22 – Lexington, KY – Al’s Bar2/24 – Memphis, TN – Folk Alliance (Memphis Room, 7:30pm)2/26 – Orlando, FL – McRaney’s Tavern2/27 - Daytona Beach, FL - Tir Na Nog2/28 – Miami, FL – Bardot2/29 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits3/01 – Tampa, FL – Rock The Park (6:45pm)3/01 - Sarasota, FL - Cock and Bull (9pm)3/02 – Savannah, GA – Sentient Bean3/04 – Greensboro, NC – The Green Bean3/05 - Asheville, NC - 474 Haywood3/07 – Chapel Hill, NC – Nightlight3/08 – Birmingham, AL – Samford University3/09 – Nashville, TN – TBD3/10 – Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub3/11 – Johnson City, TN – Acoustic Coffeehouse3/14-18 - Austin, TX – SXSW